Vote for Downers Grove North Semi-Finalist in Tollway Map Art Contest

Downers Grove North student Nathan Eisenhart needs your votes to help his art win the Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art contest. 

Residents have until November 1 to hop online and vote for their favorite entry in the 2014 contest sponsored by the Illinois Tollway, Blick Art Materials and U.S. Equities. The top 10 finalist entries in the student art contest can be viewed on the Tollway’s website and will be displayed beginning this week at Illinois Tollway oases.

High school students in the 12 counties served by the Illinois Tollway were invited to submit original works of art based on this year’s contest theme—work zone safety. The Tollway received 65 entries from 16 schools throughout the region, from Chicago to Rockford.

“This year, we challenged students to come up with original works of art to remind drivers about the need to drive safely in work zones,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “We are pleased that so many talented young artists submitted thoughtful, compelling designs that will make it challenging for judges to pick this year’s winner.”

The top four entries will move on to the next level of judging. The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be selected by a panel of judges that includes members of the Tollway Board of Directors and representatives from U.S. Equities.

2014 Tollway Map Art Contest Semi-Finalists

Kate Arnson, Lake Forest High School

Nathan Eisenhut, Downers Grove North High School

Lauren Gould, Bolingbrook High School

Grayson Lichtenstein, Highland Park High School

Vladan Malnovic, Lyons Township High School

Rachel Pickus, Lake Forest High School

Austin Rice, Lyons Township High School

Samantha Sanders, Bolingbrook High School

Veronica Severini, Glenbard East High School

Crystal Thorns, Lincoln-Way North High School

Members of the general public are invited to go online to the Illinois Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com to view the semi-finalists’ artwork and vote for the top four entries. Artwork can also be viewed at the seven Illinois Tollway oases, with a display gallery featuring the artwork and a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone to go directly to the voting page. 

“The Illinois Tollway’s annual map cover art contest is a tremendous way to encourage young artists to showcase their talent while also calling attention to important topics like work zone safety,” said Cindy O’Drobinak, senior vice president of U.S. Equities Realty. “U.S. Equities is excited to display the artwork of area students at the Tollway oases.”

“For the third year, Blick Art Materials is happy to have the opportunity to partner with the Illinois Tollway for this student art contest,” said Chief Executive Bob Buchsbaum. “We are excited to see the creative art designs from these aspiring young artists.”

Artwork created by the grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2014 map, which is distributed at no cost to more than 125,000 customers. Three runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. Awards include:

• Grand prize winner: $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from U.S. Equities to use at oases retail shops and restaurants
• Runners-up: $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from U.S. Equities
• All students who participate in the contest will receive a certificate of appreciation
• Winners will be acknowledged at an Illinois Tollway Board meeting in November